- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Manchester United have won the race for a highly-rated midfielder, who had attracted the attention of Chelsea and Barcelona.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have been busy in the summer transfer window with the Red Devils making four key summer signings, with there a chance that there could be a fifth in the final week of the window.
United have brought in Leny Yoro and Matthijs De Ligt, with the Red Devils also bringing in full back Noussair Mazraoui as well as Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
The Red Devils have also been busy in the academy recruitment and United are now understood to be closing in on a promising 18-year-old midfielder.
Man United close in on Sekou Kone deal
Sources have told HITC that United have agreed a deal for Malian starlet Sekou Kone and HITC can reveal that they beat some of Europe’s biggest clubs to land the teenager.
United have finalised terms with his Malian club Guidars FC, but the Red Devils scouting team has worked very hard to get the deal over the line.
The potential signing of Kone is not the first incoming that the Red Devils have made for their academy setup.
HITC reported that United have won the race for Arsenal’s Chido Obi-Martin and it appears that Kone is the next name on the list.
The 18-year-old was first spotted starring for Mali at last year’s Under-17 World Cup and he has since been inundated with interest from some of Europe’s top clubs but it is the Red Devils who have won the race.
United beat Barcelona and Chelsea to Kone signing
HITC can reveal that Premier League rivals Chelsea showed an interest, but so to did Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Juventus.
Chelsea have made a whole host of academy signing of late but the Blues have been pipped to the signing of the promising teenage sensation by the Red Devils.
United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth appointed Christopher Vivell in a recruitment role and that decision looks to be bearing fruit.
HITC can confirm that Kone picked United as held a desire to move to Old Trafford. It is unclear whether the midfielder will go straight into the first team or the academy setup but this looks to be a smart coup.
The post Exclusive: Man United pip Chelsea and Barcelona to signing of promising teenage midfielder appeared first on HITC.
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